IBS Seminar 16:
Acts 20: A Minister's Farewell: Sheep, Wolves and Shepherds

Objective: To show how Paul laid down principles for Pastoral Care within the Church.

In the final third of the Book of Acts, Dr. Luke records Paul's journey to Jerusalem, his arrest there, and his voyage to Rome. The Gospel of Luke follows a similar pattern as Luke describes Christ's journey to Jerusalem to die (Luke 9:53; 13:33; 18:31; 19:11, 28). Much as Jesus set His face "like a flint" to do the Father's will (Isa. 50:7; Luke 9:51), so Paul determined to finish his course with joy, no matter what the cost might be (Acts 20:24). This chapter describes three "farewell events" as Paul closed his ministry in Macedonia, Achaia, and Asia.

1. A Farewell Journey Acts 20:1-5
"I do not expect to visit this country again!" D.L. Moody spoke those words in 1867 when he made his first trip to England. He was so seasick during the voyage that he decided he would never sail again, but he made five more visits to England, seasickness notwithstanding. Paul was ready for another journey. He wanted to make at least one more visit to the churches the Lord had helped him to found, because Paul was a man with a concerned heart. "The care of all the churches" was his greatest joy as well as his heaviest burden (2 Cor. 11:23-28).

After the riot, Paul left Ephesus and headed toward Macedonia and Achaia (see Acts 19:21). He expected to meet Titus at Troas and get a report on the problems in Corinth, but Titus did not come (2 Cor. 2:12-13). The men finally met in Macedonia and Paul rejoiced over the good news Titus brought (2 Cor. 7:5-7). Paul had originally planned to make two visits to Corinth (2 Cor. 1:15-16), but instead he made one visit that lasted three months (Acts 20:3; 1 Cor. 16:5-6). During that visit, he wrote his Epistle to the Romans.

Paul had two goals in mind as he visited the various churches. His main purpose was to encourage and strengthen the saints so that they might stand true to the Lord and be effective witnesses. His second purpose was to finish taking up the collection for the needy believers in Jerusalem (Rom. 15:25-27; 1 Cor. 16:1-9; 2 Cor. 8-9). The men who accompanied him (Acts 20:4) were representatives of the churches, appointed to travel with Paul and help handle the funds (2 Cor. 8:18-24).

Once again, Paul had to change his plans, this time because of a Jewish plot to kill him at sea. Instead of sailing from Corinth, he traveled overland through Achaia and Macedonia, sailing from Philippi to Troas, where his "team" agreed to rendezvous. As a person who dislikes travel and changes in plans, I admire Paul for his courage, stamina, and adaptability. In spite of the complications and delays in travel today, we have a much easier time than Paul didand we complain! He kept going!

2. A Farewell Service Acts 20:6-12
Paul was not able to make it to Jerusalem for the annual Passover celebration, so now his goal was to arrive there at least by Pentecost (Acts 20:16). Note the pronoun change to "us" and "we," for Dr. Luke has now joined the party (see Acts 16:17). He had probably been ministering at Philippi where he joined Paul for the last leg of the journey. Paul must have rejoiced to have Luke, Titus, and Timothy at his side again. The men remained at Troas a week so that they might fellowship with the believers there. Perhaps they were also waiting for the departure of the next ship. Luke gives us a brief report of a local church service in Troas, and from it we learn something of how they met and worshiped the Lord. Consider the elements involved.

2.1 The Lord's Day
To begin with, they met on the first day of the week and not on the seventh day which was the Sabbath (see also 1 Cor. 16:1-2). The first day came to be called "the Lord's Day" because on it the Lord Jesus Christ arose from the dead (Rev. 1:10). We should also remember that the church was born on the first day of the week when the Spirit came at Pentecost. During the early years of the church, the believers did maintain some of the Jewish traditions, such as the hours of prayer (Acts 3:1). But as time went on, they moved away from the Mosaic calendar and developed their own pattern of worship as the Spirit taught them.


2.2 The Lord's People

The church met in the evening because Sunday was not a holiday during which people were free from daily employment. Some of the believers would no doubt be slaves, unable to come to the assembly until their work was done. The believers met in an upper room because they had no church buildings in which to gather. This room may have been in the private home of one of the believers. The assembly would have been a cosmopolitan group, but their social and national distinctions made no difference: they were "all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28).

2.3 The Lord's Supper
The early church shared a "potluck" meal called the "love feast" (agape), after which they would observe the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:17-34). The "breaking of bread" in Acts 20:7 refers to the Lord's Supper, whereas in Acts 20:11 it describes a regular meal. By sharing and eating with one another, the church enjoyed fellowship and also gave witness of their oneness in Christ. Slaves would actually eat at the same table with their masters, something unheard of in that day.

It is likely that the church observed the Lord's Supper each Lord's Day when they met for fellowship and worship. In fact, some believers probably ended many of their regular meals at home by taking the bread and wine and remembering the Lord's death. While Scripture does not give us specific instructions in the matter ("as often," 1 Cor. 11:26), the example of the early church would encourage us to meet at the Lord's table often. However, the Communion must not become routine, causing us to fail to receive the blessings involved.

2.4 The Lord's Message
The Word of God was always declared in the Christian assemblies, and this included the public reading of the Old Testament Scriptures (1 Tim. 4:13) as well as whatever apostolic letters had been received (Col. 4:16). It is sad to see how the Word is neglected in church services today. Knowing that this would probably be his last meeting with the saints at Troas, Paul preached a long sermon, after which he ate and conversed with the people until morning. It's doubtful that anybody complained. How we today wish we could have been there to hear the Apostle Paul preach. The Word of God is important to the people of God, and the preaching and teaching of the Word must be emphasized. The church meets for edification as well as for celebration, and that edification comes through the Word. "Preach the Word!" is still God's admonition to spiritual leaders (2 Tim. 4:2). According to Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "the decadent periods and eras in the history of the church have always been those periods when preaching has declined" (Preachers and Preaching, Zondervan, p. 24).

2.5 The Lord's Power
Whether it was the lateness of the hour or the stuffiness of the room (surely not the dullness of Paul's sermon!), Eutychus ("Fortunate") fell asleep and then fell out the window, and was killed by the fall. However, Paul raised him from the dead and left him and the church comforted. God's power was present to work for His people.

How old was Eutychus? The Greek word neanias in Acts 20:9 means a man from twenty-four to forty years of age. The word pais in Acts 20:12 means a young child or youth. Dr. Howard Marshall, an eminent Greek scholar, says he was a "young lad of eight to fourteen years. Since the word pais can mean "a servant," Eutychus may have been a young man who was also a servant. He may have worked hard that day and was weary. No wonder he fell asleep during the lengthy sermon!


Let's not be too hard on Eutychus. At least he was there for the service, and he did try to keep awake. He sat near ventilation, and he must have tried to fight off the sleep that finally conquered him. The tense of the Greek verb indicates that he was gradually overcome, not suddenly.


Also, let's not be too hard on Paul. After all, he was preaching his farewell sermon to this assembly, and he had a great deal to tell them for their own good. Those sitting near should have been watching Eutychus; but, of course, they were engrossed in what Paul was saying. Paul did interrupt his sermon to rush downstairs to bring the young man back to life. His approach reminds us of Elijah (1 Kings 17:21-22) and Elisha (2 Kings 4:34-35).

Perhaps each of us should ask ourselves, "What really keeps me awake?" Christians who slumber during one hour in church somehow manage to stay awake during early-morning fishing trips, lengthy sporting events and concerts, or late-night TV specials. Also, we need to prepare ourselves physically for public worship to make sure we are at our best. "Remember," said Spurgeon, "if we go to sleep during the sermon and die, there are no apostles to restore us!"
A farewell journey, a farewell service and,

3. A Farewell Sermon
Paul knew his life was drawing to a close and that he would never see them again. Consequently he wanted to prepare them for the future. He begins by taking them back to the first time they met, then to the present day, then on into the future, their future. We start with

3.1 Paul's Past Ministry in Ephesus 20:18-21
Marshall Mcluhan back in the 1960's coined the now famous phrase "the medium is the message". That is what Paul is saying here. His life had literally been an open book. Everything he told them to do, he had done himself. "You know how I lived" (20:18); "you know" (20:20); "you yourselves know" (20:34). Why this repeated emphasis on their knowledge of him? While Paul had been away he had been criticised. Easy to do in someone's absence. "He doesn't really care about us, he's just empire building....."

Paul defended his motives by appealing to their first hand knowledge of him, their personal experience of him, during the whole time he was with them. Sometimes clergy have a problem with credibility.

About four years ago as I tried to leave Israel having visited some of the churches in the Occupied Territories, I found the security staff at the airport wouldn't believe I was an Anglican priest. Its a strange, confusing experience when those in authority don't believe you. The security staff held me for over an hour in solitary confinement. I didn't look like a priest they said. May be I was a spy, they wondered. They took me into a special room and searched through everything in my luggage. They took my cameras to pieces, even my shaver and torch. They checked my bags for hidden compartments. They even gave me a body search. When they told me they would be keeping my cameras for a week I didn't react the way they expected. I heard myself say "fine, you keep them, they're insured". That really threw them because they expected me to have a tantrum and demand my rights. I didn't shout or swear, I didn't bang the table and demand to see the British Consulate. I was so scared I didn't think to tell them they should have believed me, and so I forgot to give Jesus the credit. There was nothing I could do to convince them who I was or what I did. Ultimately I hope my behaviour was enough to confirm my claim. Paul on the other hand had known these Christians for years not just a few hours. His life validated his authority, it verified his authenticity. He had given all his energy (20:18), to meet all their needs (20:20), among all nationalities (20:21). He didn't just say as a certain US President did, "read - my - lips", but "read my life, its an open book". Paul's past ministry at Ephesus.

3.2 Paul's Present Motives at Ephesus 20:22-27
In this section Luke replaces the "you know.... you know" of the previous paragraph with "I know... (20:23) I know... (20:25) I know... (20:29)" For he turns from the past which they knew to what the Holy Spirit was teaching him and what he must now share. The same Holy Spirit who warns him in every town of prison and hardships (20:23) nevertheless compels him to keep travelling to Jerusalem (20:22). He explains that he is neither doubting his calling nor deserting their needs. His overriding concern is not to survive at all costs but rather to finish the race, and complete his Christ-given task of sharing the good news. Paul describes his ministry like that of race nearing its end. A good runner saves some energy for those last few metres to the tape. Knowing his end was near he has no thought of retiring or relaxing a bit.

Just the reverse. Probably America's top astrophysicist, Stephen Hawking contracted terminal cancer early in his life. In his biography he wrote these words. "When your expectations for life are reduced to zero, you really appreciate everything that you do." That was Paul's attitude. I have never felt like that, although I have friends who have. Abdullahi Jibril is someone who can identify with Paul... My life may not have been threatened but it caused me to think through my priorities. Read 20:26-27.

This is an attitude we might well cultivate whether we are young and fit, or elderly and unwell. It is an attitude of living each day as if it might be our last, of finely tuning our priorities, not putting off till tomorrow what needs to be done today. Of seeing life as a race, a race with a goal, a purpose. Read 20:24 again. Paul's past ministry, Paul's present motives......

3.3 Paul's Prophetic Message 20:28-37
Read 20:28-31a. Paul predicts the future for the Ephesian Church. He tells them about the role of the shepherds, the rise of the wolves and the value of the sheep.

3.3.1 The Role of the Shepherds

Its time we rehabilitated the noble word "pastor" for that is what the minister really should be. Shepherds of Christ's sheep, called to tend, feed and protect them. Note that the Ephesian elders must first keep watch over themselves, and only then over the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made them responsible. For they could not care adequately for others if they neglected the care and culture of their own souls. Notice too they were to be "shepherds" of God's Church. (in this category I include House Group Leaders, Sunday School teachers etc). The word here means to tend a flock and in particular to lead a flock to pasture, and so to feed it. How do you feed a flock? By teaching the Bible (see Matthew 4:4, 1 Peter 2:2) This is the first duty of shepherds.

Paul then uses a quite startling concept for they are shepherds of "the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." This expression appears no where else in the New Testament. The Role of the Shepherds.

3.3.2 The Rise of the Wolves
Read 20:29-30. In the ancient Near East wolves were the chief enemy of sheep. Hunting sometimes singly, sometimes in packs, they were a constant threat. What's the difference between a wolf and a shepherd? A wolf sacrifices the sheep for himself. A shepherd sacrifices himself for the sheep. Sheep are defenceless against wolves. Shepherds could not afford to relax their vigilance. Nor can Christian pastors. So the shepherds of Christ's flock have a double duty; to feed the sheep (by teaching the truth); and to protect them from the wolves (by warning of error). There are many wolves around. (See our church web site: www.virginiawater.co.uk/christchurch/articles ).

A wolf is concerned with what you can do for him. Regularly I receive mailings from individuals or organisations who want to come to our Church to minister to us. I had one last month who was really pushy claiming the Lord had raised up his ministry of healing and prophecy to serve the local churches of Surrey. When I asked him which particular church fellowship he was a member of, he admitted that he and a few friends met in his home to worship. That's when I get suspicious. Wolves treat people as pawns, objects, numbers, a means to an end. A wolf uses people to assist him in his ministry. A true pastor on the other hand nurtures people so they can fulfil their own God given ministry. Read 20:30. Paul specifically tells us here where this would happen, how and why.

3.3.2.1 Where this was going to happen "from your own number"
Paul predicts there would be wolves in sheep's clothing, even from within the church. If there were wolves in the Church of Ephesus, you can be pretty certain there are wolves in the Church of England. How do we know?

3.3.2.2 How this was going to happen "they will distort the truth"
Have you ever looked at yourself in an old mirror that was flawed? It exaggerates certain parts of your anatomy. You know its not your real shape because as you move, the reflection changes shape too, so the exaggeration shows up the flaw. Heresy is the distortion of truth not necessarily the denial of truth. A distortion is the overemphasis or under-emphasis. It may be in teaching, the liturgy, personal ethics. I saw some old friends recently from Hastings. I asked how their Church was doing and there was a long pause. The Church has moved into a deliverance ministry, and it has become central to everything they do. So everyone needed delivering. Deliverance had become the solution to every problem. How do you know something has become a distortion? Hold it up to the mirror of God's word, and the distortion will stand out a mile. Paul not only tells them where and how but also why.

3.3.2.3 Why this was going to happen "to draw disciples away after them" Distortion leads to division, to bickering, in fighting, cliques, splinter groups, factions. The sects and the cults of today find their prey on the edges of the Church, just as the wolves do to the flock. They are like the gulls that follow the fishing boats, picking off the fish which the fishermen are careless to leave exposed. "Keep watch... keep watch" says Paul. The Role of the Shepherds, the Rise of the Wolves.

3.3.3 The Value of the Sheep
Implicit in verse 28 is the truth that the pastoral oversight of the Church belongs ultimately to God himself. That should have a profound effect on all involved in Christian ministry whether clergy, House Group leaders, Youth or Sunday school teachers for example. It should humble us to remember that the Church is not our church or my church, but God's church - there is no place for autocratic domineering leaders in Christ's church. We are at best God's messenger boys. The value God places in the sheep should inspire. It should inspire us to faithfulness, for sheep are not at all the clean and cuddly creatures they may appear. A couple of years ago we went on holiday to Ireland and stayed with some friends who keep sheep.

When you get close to sheep you discover they are dirty, subject to unpleasant pests and regularly need to be dipped in strong chemicals to rid them of lice, ticks and worms. They easily get lost, they are unintelligent, defenceless, wayward and obstinate. I am reluctant to press the analogy too closely. But there are times when Christian ministry is lonely, thankless and apparently futile. Its at times like that we need to remember how valuable the Church is in God's sight. We are part of the flock of God the Father, purchased by the precious blood of God the Son, and supervised by overseers appointed by God the Holy Spirit. If the three persons of the Trinity are thus committed to the welfare of the people, should we not be also?

Let me close with a quote from Richard Baxter's great book The Reformed Pastor. Published way back in 1656 it is really an exposition of Acts 20:28. In it he writes,

Oh then, let us hear these arguments of Christ, whenever we feel ourselves grow dull and careless; "Did I die for them, and will you not look after them? Where they worth my blood and are they not worth your labour? Did I come down to earth to seek and save the lost, and will you not go to the next door or street or village to seek them? I debased myself to this, but it is your labour to be so employed. Have I done so much for their salvation; and was I willing to make you a co-worker with me, and will you refuse that little which lies upon your hands?


This Seminar draws heavily on material from FF Bruce, John Stott and Warren Wersbie, to whom I am deeply indebted.